Curtain fixture



C. A. PLAUNT CURTAIN FIXTURE Nov. 23, 1937.

Filed NOV. 28, 1936 ll\; Z2 21 Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE 2,099,770 CURTAIN FIXTURE I Charles A. Plaunt, Maywood, Ill. 7 Application November 28, 1936, Serial No. 113,218 2 Claims. (01. 248-263) This invention relates to curtain fixtures of that type designed for supporting both curtains and drapes.

It is an object of the invention toprovide a fixture which can be "attached securely'to the top of a window frame at any point without necessitating the use of screws, nails or the like and without scarring the exposed surfaces of the frame.

A further object is to provide a fixture which can be quickly placed in or removed from position without requiring any particular skill.

A still further object is to provide a fixture the bracket portion of which can be adjusted to any desired elevation relative to the base portion of the fixture, the entire structure being easy to manufacture and salable at low cost.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the

invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a window frame showing a pair of fixtures applied thereto, these fixtures being constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of a gripping plate.

.Figure 6 is a perspective view of the plate carrying lever.

Figure 7 is an elevation of the adjustable rod used in connection with the fixtures.

Referring to the figures by characters of ref- 5 erence I designates the base plate of the fixture the upper end of which is bent backwardly at right angles to form a gripping and supporting head 2 while extending laterally from the lower end of the base is a short arm 3. Stifiening flanges 4 extend along the side edges of the base I and the corresponding edges of the head 2 and these flanges cooperate with the base to form a channel into which are extended upwardly projecting angular hooks 5 struck from the base i and arranged in a longitudinal series,

Pivotally connected to the arm 3 is'a lever B the free end of which has an ear I projecting up-,- wardly therefrom andformed with an aperture 8 and a slot 9. V A wing I0 is pivotally attached 7 tothe lever 6 close to ear I and is extended up- 5 'wardly from one side of a gripping plate II. This gripping plate, as well as the head 2, is formed with small spurs or teeth I2.

A coiled spring I3 is attached at one end to the upper portion of base I at one side thereof while 10 its other end is secured in either the opening 8 or the slot 9, the point of attachment depending upon the tension desired in the spring.

The bracket portion of the fixture comprises a fiat strip of metal bent into U-shape to provide 15 a long arm I4, a short arm I5, and an intermediate or base portion I6. Each arm has a slot II extending downwardly thereinto at a point adjacent to its free end and the fixture is so proportioned as to fit snugly between the flanges 4 and against the base I. An angular aperture I8 20 is provided in the base portion I6 of the bracket and is of an area slightly greater than that of any of the hooks 5. Thus by inserting the base portion of the bracket between the flanges, the aperture I8 can be caused to receive one of the hooks 5 after which, by sliding the bracket downwardly, the upper portion thereof will engage in one hook while the lower portion will engage in the hook therebelow. Thus the bracket will be securely held to the base as shown.

In practice it is intended to use a pair of these fixtures, one being a right and the other being a left. The fixture to be mounted on the window frame F is placed with its base I against the face of the frame and with its head 2 overlying the frame. Lever 6 is swung downwardly so as to place the spring l3 under increased tension and to increase the distance between gripping plate II and head 2. Thus it is possible for the 0 plate II to extend under the top of the window frame while the head 2 is resting on said top. When the spring I3 is released it will pull on ear I and cause plate II to thrust upwardly against the under surface of the top of the frame, the prongs or spurs I2 biting against the surface of the frame and said plate adjusting itself to proper position for engagement with the frame. Obviously the fixture thus will be clamped firmly on the frame no matter in what position it 50 might be placed along the top thereof and after it has been located in proper position the bracket can be mounted on the base as shown. When the fixtures are properly located, the short arms I5 of the brackets will be located between the 55 long arms thereof. These short arms thus can be used for supporting a rod on which curtains are to be mounted while the long arms I4 can be used for supporting a rod on which drapes can be mounted. As shown in Figure 7 the rod can be made extensible. It is preferred to form it of an elongated flat strip I9 having opposed transverse slots 20 near one end. This strip is slidable on another strip 2| provided with inturned longitudinal flanges 22 which lap strip I9. Opposed transverse slots 23 are provided in the strip 2| near its outer or free end. 7

To mount one of these extensible portions on the brackets, the strips I9 and 2| are slid relative to each other so as to bring the slots 20 and 23 a distance apart equal to the distance between those arms I4 or I5 to be engaged. Slotted portions of the strips I9 and 2| are then inserted downwardly within the slots I! so that the members I9 and 2| will become interlocked with the arms I4 or l5 and the fixture is then ready for use.

What isclaimed is:

- 1. A curtain fixture including a base having an offset head at one end and a longitudinal series of out struck hooks, a bracket having an aperture for receiving one of the hooks, said bracket being slidable on the received hook into engagement with an adjoining hook of the series, stiffening flanges on the base for holding the bracket centered on the hooks, a lever fulcrumed on the base, a resilient connection between the lever and the base, and a gripping plate pivotally connected to and extending laterally from the lever.

2. A curtain fixture including a base having an offset head at one end, a lever pivotally con-' nected to the other end of the base and extending laterally therefrom, resilient means for urging the lever about its pivotal connection and toward the head, a gripping plate pivotally connected to the lever and extending laterally therefrom, said plate and head being positioned to receive the top portion of a window frame therebetween, and a bracket detachably connected to the base, said bracket including spaced arms of different lengths and an apertured intermediate portion, there being a longitudinal series of hooks outstanding from the base, each hook being proportioned to enter the aperture in the bracket and said bracket being adapted to gravitate on the engaged hook and into engagement with the next adjoining hook thereunder.

CHARLES A. PLAUNT. 

